Kids

Focus-Asparagus

Asparagus is a green vegetable that grows in spears.

It's good for you and lots of people like the taste. It has a lot of folic acid, which is an important B vitamin. It's also full of potassium, fiber, vitamins A and C, and thiamin. It's naturally fat-free.

You can try it raw, but it's usually cooked in a little boiling water, steamed, baked in a hot oven, or stir-fried in a pan. One delicious way to prepare it is to brush it with olive oil and grill it in a grill basket or in some aluminum foil. Get help from a grownup, of course, with the grilling. Then sprinkle with a little salt and pepper — and enjoy.

Most definitely. It's a known fact that asparagus can make your pee smell funny. It doesn't seem to affect everyone, but scientists have determined that some folks excrete a funny-smelling compound in their pee (urine) after eating the vegetable. It's not harmful, just a smelly sign of the way your body breaks down the asparagus.